Package vending machine



April 20, 1965 R. E. DAVY PACKAGE VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet ,i'1

Filed July 25, 1963 INVENT OR fioberffi'. 17mg ATTORNE Y p i .9 R. E. m; 3,179,288

PAckAeE VENDING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1963 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 13 0b er'f Z'. fla 1/55 ATTORNEY R. E. DAVY PACKAGE VENDING MACHINE April 20, 1965 3,179,288

Filed July 25, '1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l I M April 1965 1 R. E. DAVY' 3,179,288

' PAbI'U-GE VENDING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet. .4

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INVENIOR Robe-r111". Jul/y;

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,179,288 PACKAGE VENDING MACHINE Robert E. Davy, La Mesa, Calif., assignor to The Coroga Company, Anaheim, Calif., a corporation of California Filed July 25, 1963, Ser. No. 297,613 2 Claims. (Cl. 221-15) This invention relates to a vending machine and has as its primary object the provision of a coin controlled mechanism for dispensing packages of merchandise one at a time from ribbons or chains of a multiple of such packages arranged in line with adjacent packages connected by severable webs such as set forth in my co-pending applications Serial Numbers 271,655, and 271,666 filed April 9, 1963.

A particular object is to provide a vending machine of the above character embodying a rotary conveyor engageable with the ribbon or chain or packages to be dispensed, wherein such engagement is eifected solely at the interconnected ends of adjacent packages, whereby the packages in traversing the conveyor are supported only at their ends so that the bodies of the packages will not be subjected to pressure while being conveyed to discharge, such as might crush or damage the contents of the packages.

Another object is to provide the vending machine with a cut-off mechanism for severing the leading end package from its adjacent package preliminary to its delivery to discharge and wherein such cut-off mechanism is actuated co-incident with starting movement of the package conveyor by coin controlled electrically powered mechanism.

Another object is to provide a dispensing mechanism embodying the above recited features including a timing mechanism whereby advance of the conveyor will be terminated on movement thereof a distance such as to dispose a leading package of the ribbon or chain thereof in a position to be severed and dispensed by a succeeding coin controlled operation of the conveyor.

Another object is to provide in the vending machine an arrangement of the electro-mechanical devices and associated electrical circuitry contrived to be set in action by the deposit of a coin to thereby close the electric circuit and set the dispensing mechanism in operation to initially effect severance of the leading package, followed by advance of the package conveyor to dispose a succeeding package in position for dispensing, which in turn, is followed by timed opening of the circuit, thereby terminating movement of the conveyor, thus completing a cycle of operation, and wherein the assemblage is highly efficient and dependable in its operation.

Another object is to provide a package vending machine wherein the packages to be dispensed are withdrawn from the magazine containing a chain of inter-connected packages wherein loading of the machine involves merely positioning a loaded magazine in the machine and connecting the leading package of the chain to the conveyor, thereby greatly facilitating the machine charging operation as compared with the practice of placing independent packages one or a few at a time in a vending machine.

A further object is to provide a construction in the vending mechanism whereby it may be adjusted to dispense packages of various dimensions in length and width, it being a pre-requisite that the packages in a chain thereof rectangular and of complementary dimensions.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear,

3,179,288 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the package dispensing mechanism with portions broken away:

FIG. 2 is a view in section and elevation as seen on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with portions removed:

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 as seen in the direction indicated by the arrows, illustrating the manner of adjustably mounting the sprocket teeth embodied in the package conveyor:

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail in horizontal section and plan with portions broken away of the package cut-01f mechanism: as seen on the line 44 of FIG. 2 with portions removed:

FIG. 5 is a detail in section and elevation as seen on the line 55 of FIG. 1 showing a circuit making and breaking timing mechanism:

FIG. 6 is a detail in elevation of the cut-off mechanism as seen in the direction of the arrows 6 of FIG. 4:

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bell-crank employed in the cut-off mechanism shown in FIGS. 4 and 6:

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shearing blade employed in the cut-off mechanism:

FIG. 9 is a view in section and elevation similar to FIG. 2 showing the manner of supporting the ribbon or chain of packages on the conveyor with an end package disposed in readiness for separation from its adjacent package by the cut-oif mechanism and depicting the manner in which such end package conditions the electrical circuit for actuating the vending mechanism:

FIGS. 10 and 11 are isometric views depicting forms of a ribbon or chain of inter-connected packages for dispensing by the recited vending machine:

FIG. 12 is a detail in plan as seen on the line 1212 of FIG. 9 illustrating the manner in which a package is suspended at its corners on the conveyor:

FIG. 13 is a view in vertical section and elevation as seen on the line 1313 of FIG. 9 in the direction indicated by the arrow showing the manner on which a package is supported and engaged solely at its ends by the conveyor:

FIG. 14 is a view in section and elevation illustrating the conveyor as arranged in a cabinet and depicting the manner in which a chain of packages is withdrawn from a magazine and delivered to discharge by the conveyor:

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit employed in the machine, depicting the several instrumentalitites controlling said circuit and actuated thereby: and

FIG. 16 is a perspective View of the cabinet of the vending machine with portions broken away showing it as designed to house a plurality of the dispensing units and depicting the cabinet with portions broken away to illustrate the manner of loading the vending machine with package containing magazines.

Referring to the drawings more specifically A indicates generally the frame structure of the dispensing unit which structure embodies a pair of spaced parallel upstanding side plates 20-21 erected on a base plate 22. Journalled in the upper portion of the side plates 20-21 and extending therethrough is a horizontal rotary shaft 23 on the outer end portions of which is rigidly but adjustably mounted a pair of complementary parallel wheels or disks 24-25 formed of rigid sheet material. Mounted on the disks is a multiple of sprocket teeth B which teeth in carrying out the invention, project laterally in the direction of their lengths from the adjacent sides of the disks 24-25, with the teeth on each disk arranged opposite the teeth on the other and spaced equi-distant apart around the peripheries of the disks. Each of the teeth B embodies an intermediate portion which projects perpendicular to the inner side of the disk 24 or 25, which portion constitutes an article supporting shoulder 26.

Extending from the outer end of the shoulder 26 of each tooth B in outward angular relation thereto, is a tapered spur 27 terminating a short distance from the shoulder 26, which spur constitutes a package engaging an advancing member. The inner end of the shoulder 26 terminates in a plate 28 projecting inwardly from the shoulder, 26 in perpendicular relation thereto and extending radially of the disks 24-25 and which plate is rigidly but adjustably seated on the inner face of the disk 24 or 25. The sprocket tooth B thus formed is designed to be disposed in various positions radially of the disks 24-25, as indicated in FIG. 3, for which purpose the disks are provided with radial slots 29 through which are extended bolts 30 engaged with the plate 28; the bolts being shiftable to assume various positions along the length of the slot 29 and having nuts 31 in threaded engagement therewith, tightening of which securely clamps the sprocket teeth B in engagement with the disks 24-25.

The shaft 23, disks 24-25 and sprocket teeth B constitute a rotary conveyor C or rotor, for engaging, supporting and advancing a ribbon or chain D of complementary rectangular product containing packages E as shown for example in-FIGS. l and 11. The ribbons or chains D of packages E here shown constitute the subject matter of co-pending applications Serial Numbers 271,665 and 271,666, hereinbefore referred to.

The packages E as here shown comprise rectangular bags of cellophane or similar flexible sheet material comprising overlying side walls united in sealed engagement along their margins; the bags enclosing a product comprising loose particles or pieces of flaky or granular character.

Such materials include peanuts, pop-corn, potato-chips, candies, corn-wafers, and the like, some of which are characterized by being fragile, and subject to being easily crushed and broken into small particles. The packages E are interconnected at their adjacent margins in spaced relation to each other by severable webs F which webs are arranged to have seated engagement with the projecting intermediate portions 26 of the sprockets B, the end portions 27 of which sprockets are arranged to project between the adjacent packages E. The webs F are disposed adjacent the opposite ends or sides of the packages B so that when so engaged by the sprockets B, as shown in FIGS. 9, l2 and 13, the packages will be supported at their corners only, and thus be suspended between adjacent pairs of the sprockets as indicated, whereby while the packages are being advanced by the conveyor, the bodies thereof will not be subjected to pressures such as would fracture or injure the package contents.

Means are provided for rotating the above described conveyor C with intermittent movement, which means is here shown as embodying a spur gear 32 fixed on the disk 24 having a hub 33 encompassing the shaft 23 and fixed to the latter by set screw 34 as shown in FIG. 2. The spur gear 32 is engaged by a pinion 35 on the drive shaft 36 of an electric motor M, which is energized by closing a coin controlled switch G shown in FIG. 15, and which is deenergized at timed intervals by a timing mechanism H, such as shown in FIG. 5, which embodies a cylindrical cam I mounted on the motor shaft 36 having adwell portion 37 extending throughout the major portion of its periphery and having a recess 38 in its perimeter fo'r actuating an electric switch embodied in the timing'mechanism H to break the circuit energizing the motor M on each revolution of the shaft 26 as will presently be described.

The pinion 31 and spur gear 32 'as here shown have a ratio of l to whereby one revolution of the shaft 36 and pinion 31 will rotate the gear wheel 32 and the disks 24-25 one-fifth of a revolution. In order that a chain of packages being advanced by the conveyor will be intermittently moved lengthwise a distance corresponding to the distance between the longitudinal centers of the webs F leading from the opposite sides or ends of a package, the sprockets B are mounted on the disks 24- with the longitudinal centers extending on radii leading from the axis of the shaft 23 spaced apart one-fifth the circumference of the disks 24-25, or that of the sprocket wheel 32, and the distance between the centers of the projecting portion 26 of adjacent sprockets, correspond to the aforesaid distance between the longitudinal centers of webs extending from opposite sides or ends of the packages.

Means are provided for separating the leading end package E of a chain D thereof from itsadjacent package, while the conveyor with the chain of packages thereon is at rest, which means is here shown as comprising a cutoff mechanism K embodying a fixed shearing bar 40 extending transversely of the conveyor C in horizontal spaced relation thereto with the shearing edge a thereof presented in the path. of travel of the end package being delivered downwardly from the rotating conveyor as particularly shown in FIG. 9. The shearing bar 40 is supported intermediate its ends by a pair of brackets 41 and 42 carried on the upstanding side walls 20-21 on the supporting frame A. Mounted adjacent the ends of the shearing bar 40 is a pair of shearing blades 43-44 which blades underlie the bar 4t) at their inner portions and have their outer shearing portions normally projecting outward from the cutting edge a of the bar 40 with their shearing edges b substantially aligned with the adjacent faces of the wheels 24-25 as particularly shown in FIG. 1.

The shearing blades 43-44 are connected to the bar 49 by pivots 45 and 46 and have arms 47-48 on their inner ends from which lead connecting rods 50-51 respectively, attached to the ends of cross arms 52-53 of a bell crank L pivotally connected to the bar 40 intermediate the ends thereof by a pivot pin 54. The connecting rods 50-51 comprise stiff wires having one of the ends thereof bent laterally to form terminal pins 0 which are inserted in apertures d in the arms 47-48 to effect pivotal connection with the latter. The opposite end portions of the rods 50-51 are passed longitudinally through apertures e extending through couplings 54-55 swiveled on the end portions of the arms 52-53 of the bell crank L in slidable engagement therewith; the rods 50-51 being detachably and adjustably engaged with the couplings by set screws as indicated in FIG. 7. The bell crank L embodies an arm 57 projecting intermediate the arms 52-53 which arm 57 has an aperture g with which is engaged one end of a connecting rod 58 the other end of which is connected to the core 59 of a solenoid N.

A pull spring 60 is connected to the outer end of the arm 52 of the bell crank L and to the side wall 21 particularly shown in FIG. 4, which spring normally acts to maintain the bell crank L and the shearing blades 4-3-44 in their retracted position. The bar 40 is arranged with its shearing edge a spaced in such relation to an approaching sprocket B of the conveyor C in its stationary position, that a package E depending from such sprocket willhave theweb -F thereof, connecting with the end package E, positioned astride the cutting edge a as particularly shown in FIG. 9. 1

Arranged beneath the cut-off mechanism K is a discharge chute 0 having its open upper end disposed toreceive the depending end package E as shown in FIG. 9 and having its lower end opening tova trough P projecting from the front wall 61 of a cabinet Q housing the dispensing mechanism of the vending machine as shown in FIG, 14.

The cabinet Q is designed to receive a removable magazine 62 containing a length of the chain or ribbon D of the packages E, with the ribbon or chain folded back and forth to afiord layers thereof, as indicated in FIG. 14.

The magazine 62 comprises an open top box-like receptacle from which the ribbon or chain of packages may be withdrawn as by engaging the leading end portion of the ribbon or chain with the conveyor C as before described.

In carrying the invention into effect, one or more of the dispensing units above described may be mounted within a single cabinet Q. Where two or more of the units are enclosed in one'cabinet, they are arranged sideby-side with the discharge chutes 0 thereof leading to a single trough P as indicated in FIG. 16. The front wall 61 of the cabinet Q is provided with one or more windows 61' according to the number of dispensing units contained therein; a window 61 'being arranged in front of the conveyor C whereby the leading end portion of the package chain D may be viewed from the exterior of the cabinet, thus displaying the packaged goods, and evidencing the presence of a package readied for dispensing. Where the interior of the cabinet is in darkness an electric lamp S is mounted in the cabinet adjacent the window 61' to illuminate the package chain D, which lamp is disposed in an automatically controlled electric circuit whereby the lamp is illuminated only when a package E is positioned inreadiness for dispensing, and whereby the window 61' is darkened when the dis pensing machine is unloaded or otherwise out of operation, as will be later described.

Means are provided whereby the electric circuit controlling the operation of the vending machine can be completed only when an end packageE is positioned in readiness for dispensing. Such means embodies a normal- "1y open switch R embodying an actuating lever pivoted at 63 adjacent the switch R and having an arm 64 thereof extending into the chute 0 in the path of travel of package' E asparticularly shown in FIG. 9 and having its other. end 64 engaged with a normally open moveable switch arm g of the switch R, whereby the weight of a package E imposedon the lever arm 64 will advance the arm 64 to move the switch arm g to its closed position against a contact member h thereby closing a circuit controlling operation of the vending machine, as will present- 1y be described.

In loading the machine with a supply of packages to be dispensed, a length of the chain D of packages is drawn from the magazine 62 and draped over the conveyor C as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 14 with sprockets B extending into the spaces betwen adjacent packages and with the webs F supported on the shoulders26 of the sprockets. The chain D is thus disposed with the end package E thereof overlying and seatingon the switch actuating arm 64 so as to depress the latter and close the switch R as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 14, and With the webs F connecting the adjacent end packages overlying the cutting edge a of the shearing bar 40 in proximity to the retracted shearing blades 4344.

Referring to FIG. 15, depicting the electrical circuits and the instrumentalities associated therewith controlling the operation of the motor M and the cut-ofi mechanism K, 65-66 indicate a pair of main. electrical conductors, which lead from a plug 67 detachably engageable with a socket 680 with which is connected the terminals of a pair of main line conductors 690 leading from a source of 110 volts A.C. electrical current supply; the main conductors 65-66 being energized on being connected to the conductors 690, all in the conventional manner.

Leading from conductor 65 is a conductor 68 having a branch 68' connecting with the contact member h of the switch R through a display lamp S arranged in the cabinet Q to illuminate the interior of the cabinet when the switch R is closed. A conductor 69 leads from the switch arm g to the main conductor 66, thus completing a circuit through the switch R and lamp S. Leading from the conductor 68 is a branch conductor 70 connecting with the switch arm i of the coin controlled switch G which embodies a contact j with which the normally retracted switch arm i connects, when advanced to close a circuit through a conductor 71 leading from the contact j to initiate a vending cycle as will presently be described.

The coin controlled switch G is embodied in a conventional coin receiver T having the usual coin intake slot 72 opening to a coin conveying channel 73 into which the switch arm i normally projects into the path of a coin passing downwardly through the lower portion of the channelto discharge so that a coin on impacting the switch arm i will deflect the arm 1' and advance it to its closed position against the contact 1'. The coin receiver T also embodies a coin rejector U including adependent arm 74 pivoted at 75 having a laterally extending pin 76 on its lower end normally projecting into the channel 73 under the urge of a weight 77 carried on the upper end of the arm 75. The pin 76, when in its advanced position indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 15, acts to intercept and deflect a coin deposited in the slot 72 and advancing along the upper end of the channel 73 and to direct the coin into a return chute 78 in a usual manner.

The weighted arm 74 is retracted to withdraw the pin 76 from the channel 73 by means of a solenoid V one terminal of which is connected by a conductor 79 to the main conductor 65 through conductors 70-68. The other terminal of solenoid V connects with a conductor 80 leading to the contact h of the switch R so that when the latter is closed as under the urge of a package E a circuit will be maintained through thesolenoid V paralleling a circuit through the display lamp S, When the switch R is open, as in the absenceof a package E, the circuits through the lamp S, coin-controlled switch G; and solenoid V, will be broken, whereupon the coin rejector U will come into play so as to prevent operation of the coin-controlled switch G until the switch R is closed. 7

The conductor 71- leading from the contact j of the coin controlled switch G connects with one terminal of the solenoid N, the other terminal of which connects with a conductor 81 leading to conductors 82-83 of which the conductor 82 leads to the main conductor 66, while the conductor 83 leads to one terminal of the motor M. The conductors 71-81-82 constitute an independent circuit through the solenoid N when switches G and R are closed. a .The conductor 71 connects through a conductor 84 with one terminal of a coil k of a-relay W, the other terminal of which coil is connected by a conductor 84' and 'conductor 82 to the mainconductor 66, thus completing a circuit through the relay W paralleling the circuit through the solenoid N when the coin controlled switch G is closed. r

Connecting with the main conductor 65 is a conductor 85 leading to branchconductors 86-87 of which the conductor 86 connects with and energizes. a contact I in the relay W while the conductor 87 leads to and energizes a contact m in a holding relay X.

Associated with the contact I in the relay W is a normally retracted switch arm n from which leads a conductor 88 connecting with branch conductors 89-90 of which the conductor 89 leads to the. other terminal of the motor M while the .conductor 90 leadsto branch conductors 91-92 of which the conductor .91 leads to a contact .0 in the cam controlled switch H, while the conductor 92leads to one terminal of the coil p of the relay X, the other terminal of which connects with a amazes 7 conductor 93 leading to the conductor 82 which leads to the main conductor 66.

A branch conductor 94 leads from the conductor 92 and connects with a normally open switch arm q in the relay X operable under the influence of the coil p to close with the contact m.

Leading from the normally energized conductor 85 is a conductor 95 whichconnects with a switch arm r in the cam controlled switch H which switch arm r is actuated in a direction to close with a contact s by a follower arm 96 controlled by the cam J; the arm 96 being pivoted at 97 and being sustained in its outermost position throughout the major portion of a revolution of the cam J by its free end riding on the cylindrical dwell portion 37 of the cam to thereby close the switch arm r against the contact s.

A conductor 98 leads from the contact s to a normally retracted switch arm t in the relay X which arm 2 is linked to the arm q to move therewith. The switch arm I is arranged to be disposed in engagement with a contact a with which is connected a conductor 99 leading through a sign illuminating lamp Y to the main line conductor 66. a It is to be noted thatwhile the arm r of the cam controlled switch H is energized by its connection with the main conductor 65 through the conductor and acts through the contact s and conductor 98 to energize the switch arm t in the relay X, current will flow through the arm t only when the coil p of relay X is energized periphery of the cam J, which operation momentarily completes a circuit through the relay X and motor M such as to actuate the motor and advance the cam J sufficiently to-restore the switch actuating arm 96 to. its

outermost position in engagement with the dwell po'rtion 37 of the cam as will presently be described.

In the operation of the invention, in the absence of a package B being imposed on the control arm 64, the switch R will be open thereby breaking the circuit through the solenoid V, which being de-energized will permit the rejector arm 74 to swing under the urge of its weighted end 77 into the position wherein the pin 76 will extend into the channel 73 so as to prevent a deposited coin from actuating'the switch arm 1' and thereby closing the control switch G. During the period the switch R remains open the circuit through the lamp S will be broken thereby indicating that the vending machine is out of service.

On closing the switch R as by imposing a bag on the switch actuating arm 64, the electrical circuitthrough the lamp S and solenoid V will be closed thereby illuminating the former and energizing the latter; the lamp S then indicating the vending machineas being in service and energizing the solenoid V conditioning the coin receiver for recepton of a switch actuating coin.

on' depositing a requisite coin in the coin-receiver while the'control switch R is closed, the coin will abut and momentarily depressthe switch arm i of the switch G to close the latter and thereby-complete an impulse; circuit from main conductor 65 through conductors 67-70, switch G, conductor 71, solenoid N, and conductors 81-82 and main conductor 66. Solenoid N is thus energized so as to actuate the cut-off mechanism K by advancing the blades 43-44 so as to sever the webs' F uniting the end package E to its adjacent package, thereby detaching the end packagewhich will drop into the chute O and then glide into the trough P from where it may Lbernanually removed.

'Co-incident with energizing the solenoid N, current will be directed from conductor 71 through conductor 84, coil k of relay W, and conductor 84' and 82 to main conductor 66, thereby energizing the coil k which acts to advance the'switch arm 11 into engagement with the contact 1 thereby closing the circuit from the energized conductors -86 through relay W, conductor 88, motor M, and conductors 83-82 to main conductor 66, and thereby placing the motor M in operation and effecting rotation of the shaft 23 and earn J.

Co-incident with closing of the circuit through relay W, a circuit will be momentarily completed from the conductor 85 through conductor 86, closed switch arm n of the relay W, conductors 88-90-92, coil p of the relay X, conductors 93-82 to main conductor 66, thereby energizing coil p of the relay X which will actto collectively advance the switch arms 1' and q into coincident abutting electrical connection with the contacts u and m respectively. When the switch arm q abuts the'contact m a holding circuit will be completed from conductor 85 through conductor 87, switch arm q, conductor 94, to conductor 92 through the relay coil p; current also being directed through conductors -89, motor M and conductors 83-82, thereby maintaining the motor in operation and efiecting energization of the coil 1 of relay X after termination of the flow of current through the coil k of relay W, which flow is little more than an impulse and ceases on opening of the coin controlled switch G by passing of the switch actuating coin out of its momentary engagement with the switch arm 1' thereby restoring relay W to normal and breaking the circuit through the switch arm n.

Closing of switch arm I to contact u under the influence of the energized relay coil p completes a circuit from conductor 85 through conductor 95, switch arm r of the control switch H, contact s,,conductor 98 switch arm 2, contact 14, conductor 99 and lamp Y :to illuminate the latter and therebydisplay'a l'hank You sign.

It is to be noted that the above recited circuit through the lamp Y is an independent circuit controlled by the relay X, the purpose of which is that when amultiple of the dispensing unitswith their operating circuits are operating together, they may all'be connected to a common terminal on the'Thank You lamp Y without creating a feed-back circuit to other units. In other words the circuit through the lamp Y controlled by the switch arm t of the relay X may be energized from an outside source without eifecting'the relay X.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the motor M is energized by current supplied by the conductors 94-92-90-559 when the switch arm q of relay X is closed to contact In and conductors 87-85, which is while relay coil p is energized and that when the follower 96 of cam controlled switch H drops .into the recess 38 or low dwell of the cam I, the switch arm r moves over to contact 0 thereby re-energizing conductors 98-89 thereby keeping the motor turning .so that the follower 96 rides out of the recess 38 and advances the switch arm r to break connection with the contact 0. Up to this moment, two circuits feed into themotor, one through the relay X by way ofconductors 85, 87, switch arm q, conductors 94- 92-99-89; and the vother through the cam controlled switch H by way of conductors 85-95, switch arm r, contact 0 and conductors 91-99 and 89. When the high dwell 37 of the cam J lifts the switch arm r from contact 0 to the contact S, the motor feeding circuit through the contact 0 is broken together with the circuit through conductors 91-92, relay coil P and conductor thereby de-energizing the coil p and allowing switch arms q to'open so as to break the motor circuit through the relay X together with the circuit through the lamp Y and returning all elements to their original starting positions. On breaking of the circuits through the motor M, it comes to an instant stop with the cam J disposed with the follower positioned on the high dwell 3-7 of the cam J at the leading end thereof.

It is to be noted that in the above described mode of operation, the package controlled switch R functions to permit actuation of the coin controlled switch G when a package E is positioned in readiness to be dispensed, and that the coin controlled switch G functions on closing to immediately etfect energization of the solenoid L with consequent actuation of the cut-off mechanism K and coincidently successively energize the relays W and X and thereby set the motor M in motion, and to initiate directing a fiow of electrical current through the Thank You lamp.

It is also to be noted that termination of rotation of the motor M is automatically effected on completion of a single rotation of the cam I which coincides with tuming of the rotary conveyor a distance such as to advance the chain D of packages E to dispose an end package thereof in position to be severed by the cut-off mechanism K, and that such severance is effected immediately before a successive operation of the motor.

The sprocket teeth B being adjustable radially of the disks 24-25, the conveyor C is adapted to be rendered capable of dispensing packages E of various lengths within limits determined by the spacing between centers of adjacent teeth B when in their innermost and outermost positions.

The length of a package E in this instance is the distance between the mid-lengths of the severable webs F at the opposite ends of a package. The several packages in a chain thereof must necessarily be of corresponding lengths, but the lengths of packages in one chain may be varied relative to the lengths of packages in another chain.

To accommodate the conveyor C to dispensing packages E of a particular length, the sprocket teeth B are adjusted longitudinally of the radial slots 29 to dispose the article supporting shoulders 26 thereof equi-distant from the shaft 23 and with the centers of adjacent shoulders 26 spaced apart a distance corresponding to the distance between the mid-length of the severable webs F at the ends of the package E to be dispensed. On being thus adjusted the teeth B are clamped on the disks 24-25 by tightening the bolts 30 and nuts 31.

The distance between adjacent teeth B is shortest when the teeth are in their innermost positions on the disks and is progressively increased as the teeth are advanced outward radially of the disks to their outermost positions thereon.

Variation in the lengths of packages with consequent variation in spacing of the shoulders 26 of adjacent teeth may materially vary the distance between the leading teeth B and the cutting edge a of the severing bar 40. To compensate for this diflerential the disks 24-25 are adjusted circumferentially of the shaft 23 through the medium of the hubs 33 and set screws 34, to advance or retract the leading teeth B in their arrested positions relative to the edge a of the bar 40.

To accommodate the conveyor C to dispensing packages E of various widths the conveyor disk 25 is adjusted longitudinally of the shaft 23 to vary its spaced relation to the disk 24 through the medium of the hub 33 and set screw 34 thereon, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

Since the blade 44, when in its open or retracted position should extend in alignment with the conveyor disk 25 as shown in FIG. 1, the bar is provided with a longitudinal row of holes 46' adapted to receive the pivot pin 46, which is mounted in whichever of the holes 46' may be selected to dispose the blade 44 in the desired position. When thus varying the mounting of the blade 10 44, the connecting rod 51 is adjusted longitudinally in the coupling 55 as required.

I claim:

1. In a package dispensing machine, a rotary conveyor embodying a pair of parallel disks having adjacent sides spaced apart, a multiple of sprocket teeth projecting laterally from the adjacent sides of said disks having outturned end spurs insertable in sprocket receiving apertures between adjacent margins of a chain of interconnected packages on said conveyor, said sprocket teeth having shoulders for the reception and support of webs uniting adjacent packages of said chain, and said sprocket teeth being arranged on said disks to afford supports for packages engaged thereby solely at the united margins thereof whereby packages engaged at their opposite united margins will be suspended between the disks of said conveyor, together with coin-controlled powered means for turning said disks with an intermittent movement, and means operable at the commencement of each turning movement of said disks to sever the webs uniting the end package thereof to its adjacent package, said web severing means embodying a fixed shearing bar arranged to abut the underside of the webs uniting the end package of the chain thereof when the conveyor comes to rest, normally retracted shearing blades pivotally mounted on said shearing bar adjacent opposed longitudinal edges of said chain of packages, and electro-mechanical means adjacent said shearing bar for actuating said shearing blades relative to said shearing bar so as to sever said package uniting webs.

2. In a package dispensing machine, a rotary conveyor embodying a pair of parallel disks having adjacent sides spaced apart, a multiple of sprocket teeth projecting laterally from the adjacent sides of said disks having outturned end spurs insertable in sprocket receiving apertures between adjacent margins of a chain of interconnected packages on said conveyor, said sprocket teeth having shoulders for the reception and support of webs uniting adjacent packages of said chain, and said sprocket teeth being arranged on said disks to afford supports for packages engaged thereby solely at the united margins thereof whereby packages engaged at their opposite united margins will be suspended between the disks of said conveyor together with coin-controlled powered means for turning said disks with an intermittent movement, and means operable at the commencement of each turning movement of said disks to sever the webs uniting the end package thereof to its adjacent package, said web severing means embodying a fixed shearing bar arranged to abut the underside of the webs uniting the end package of the chain thereof when the conveyor comes to rest, normally retracted shearing blades pivotally mounted on said shearing bar adjacent opposed longitudinal edges of said chain of packages, electro-mechanical means adjacent said shearing bar for actuating said shearing blades relative to said shearing bar so as to sever said package uniting webs, and means timed coincident with setting said coin-controlled powered means in operation for actuating said electro-mechanical means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,722,276 11/55 Revelle 83-211 2,973,707 3/61 Crivelli 194-10 X 3,047,347 7/62 Groves 19410 X 3,131,830 5/64 Schaef 31239 X SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

ERNEST A. FALLER, JR., Examiner. 

1. IN A PACKAGE DISPENSING MACHINE, A ROTARY CONVEYOR EMBODYING A PAIR OF PARALLEL DISKS HAVING ADJACENT SIDES SPACED APART, A MULTIPLE OF SPROCKET TEETH PROJECTING LATERALLY FROM THE ADJACENT SIDES OF SAID DISKS HAVING OUTTURNED ENDS SPURS INSERTABLE IN SPROCKET RECEIVING APERTURES BETWEEN ADJACENT MARGINS OF A CHAIN OF INTERCONNECTED PACKAGES ON SAID CONVEYOR, SAID SPROCKET TEETH HAVING SHOULDERS FOR THE RECEPTION AND SUPPORT OF WEBS UNITING ADJACENT PACKAGES OF SAID CHAIN, AND SAID SPROCKET TEETH BEING ARRANGED ON SAID DISKS TO AFFORD SUPPORTS FOR PACKAGES ENGAGED THEREBY SOLELY AT THE UNITED MARGINS THEREOF WHEREBY PACKAGES ENGAGED AT THEIR OPPOSITE UNITED MARGINS WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN THE DISKS OF SAID CONTURNING SAID DISKS WITH AN INTERMITTENT MOVEMENT, AND MEANS OPERABLE AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF EACH TURNING MOVEMENT OF SAID DISKS TO SEVER THE WEBS UNITING THE END PACKAGE THEREOF TO ITS ADJACENT PACKAGE, SAID WEB SEVERING PACKAGE THEREOF TO ITS ADJACENT PACKAGE, SAID WEB SEVERING MEANS EMBODYING A FIXED SHEARING BAR ARRANGED TO ABUT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE WEBS UNITING THE END PACKAGE OF THE CHAIN THEREOF WHEN THE CONVEYOR COMES TO REST, NORMALLY RETRACTED SHEARING BLADES PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SHEARING BAR ADJACENT OPPOSED LONGITUDINAL EDGES OF SAID CHAIN OF PACKAGES, AND ELECTRO-MECHANICAL MEANS ADJACENT SAID SHEARING BAR FOR ACTUATING SAID SHEARING BLADES RELATIVE TO SAID SHEARING BAR SO AS TO SEVER SAID PACKAGE UNITING WEBS. 